On track: twins sprint for all-around success

On any given afternoon at Minnehaha Academy’s track, it is easy to spot Ben and Charlie Hobbs not just because they’re twins, but because they’re almost always racing, whether it’s against the clock, their competitors, or each other. For the senior sprinters, track has become more than a sport. It’s a shared journey defined by challenge, competition, and growth.

That journey didn’t begin smoothly. The Hobbs twins moved to Minnesota from Glendale, Arizona, in eighth grade. It was not an easy transition, especially during the COVID years.

“The first couple of days or weeks or months are kind of hard,” Charlie said. “I was experiencing new things, but I still wanted to be back home.”

Ben enhanced that feeling, adding that stepping into an already tight community at Minnehaha was a challenge.

“Going into a community that had a lot of established friend groups already was kind of tough,” he said.

Over time, however, the brothers found their place, especially on the track team. Their involvement in athletics helped them build friendships and confidence while giving them a space to push themselves physically and mentally.

Now, seniors, both are key contributors in sprints and relays – and both were part of school-record-setting relay teams last season. In the 4 x 100, Ben joined then-juniors Ty Malone and Jonah Schimelpfenig and senior Ezra May to run 42.38; in the 4 x 200, Charlie joined Malone, Schimelpfenig, and May to run 1:28.39. This season, a team of Hobbs, Hobbs, Malone, and Schimelpfenig in both events has been delayed because only the twins have been healthy so far, but the season still has time remaining for healing.

Charlie also competes in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 110-meter hurdles, and 300-meter hurdles, occasionally stepping into longer races when needed.

“I mostly run 100, 200, 400, and they might put me in like a 400 every once in a while, but not likely,” he said.

Ben runs many of the same events, including the 400-meter dash, where he recently achieved a personal milestone.

“I ran my PR for the 400 yesterday,” Ben said on April 22. “I ran 52.63 seconds.”

Despite being teammates, the twins admit there’s an undeniable competitive feeling between them.

“I feel like there’s always kind of a feeling where I have to beat him,” Charlie said. “It kind of feels bad if I don’t, but it pushes me to try to do better.”

That internal rivalry has driven both athletes to improve, even when they’re not fully satisfied with their results. Charlie ran an 11.5-second 100-meter dash but still believes he can do it faster.

“I don’t like that as my PR,” he said. “I feel like I should be faster.”

Their development hasn’t happened in isolation. Both credit coaches and teachers at Minnehaha played a significant role in their growth. Charlie pointed to English teacher and track and field head coach Kris Sauer as someone who has challenged him academically and personally.

“I’ve felt more connected, especially this year,” he said. “It feels like I’m being pushed to be better, not just at school but overall.”

Ben highlighted the impact of his sprint coach, Paul Blomgren.

“He just has a lot of good criticism, and it’s helped me get a lot better,” he said. “I think I’ve built some of the strongest relationships through track.”

Training for the twins is consistent but balanced. With structure lifting sessions built into practice schedules, they focus on maintaining strength without overextending themselves outside of team commitments.

“We have lifts before practices every other day,” Ben said. “Occasionally I’ll do something small at home, but not anything very serious.”

As they approach graduation, their paths begin to separate. Ben plans to attend Washington University in St. Louis to study architecture, while Charlie is still weighing his options.

“I don’t quite know what I’m doing yet,” Charlie said. “I might go to St. Olaf or do a post-grad year and just get better at everything.”

Though their futures remain uncertain, both have considered continuing their track at the college level if the opportunity arises.

Still, the reality of senior year has brought mixed emotions.

“It’s one of those times where everything’s coming to an end,” Charlie said. “It’s kind of demoralizing sometimes because I know I should try harder, but it’s hard when you know it’s almost over.”

Ben sees it as a time to reflect on effort and mindset.

“You’re only going to get as much out of it as you put in,” he said. “You might as well give as much as you can.”

That perspective shapes the advice they offer younger athletes. For Charlie, enjoyment is essential.

“Have fun,” he said. “If you’re not having fun, you might as well not try.”

He also emphasized the unique nature of track.

“You can literally measure your success,” he said. “So just try your best, even if it’s tiring.”